Multi-concurrent Partnerships

Siyayinqoba Beat It! returns with an episode on multiple and concurrent partnerships. In South Africa many young boys such as Monwanbisi Gwayise grow up being told that to be a man they should sleep with many women. At one time, Monwanbisi recalls, he was seeing seven different sexual partners. Nor is it just young single people who have multiple sexual partners. In our second insert we meet Sithembele Dyan, who is married and living openly with HIV whilst engaging in a relationship with a second partner.

Despite his sexual exploits Monwanbisi last tested for HIV several years ago and admits he is scared to do so again. He knows the importance of using condoms but acknowledges he has not always done so. Mbuyiselo Botha of Sonke Gender Justice says the view that having multiple partners is a “badge of honour” must be tackled for the sake of the country’s youth. He wants young people to understand that partner reduction is about learning self-respect and building emotional connections and that knowing your status is part of this self-empowerment.

Another group prone to engaging in multiple and concurrent partnerships are migrant workers like Sithembele, who says that, “Any man who leaves his wife behind to work in another town is bound to have an affair.” Sithembele used to meet women whilst out drinking. He is openly HIV positive but his wife is not. She knows of his other partners and of the risks, but she chooses not to use condoms because she cannot feel anything. This is very dangerous says Dr Trevor Majoro, because although ARVs will lessen the viral load they do not eliminate the risk of transmission. The best ways for people to keep themselves and their partner safe is through condom use and partner reduction.